WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) today introduced the Nuclear Powers America Act of 2019, a bill to provide existing nuclear power plants with an investment tax credit. 

“Our fleet of commercial nuclear reactors provides a crucial source of carbon-free, base load electricity.  We need to reduce our reliance of fossil fuels, so it is imperative that we keep these reactors operating – safely – while we continue to work on demand reduction, renewables, energy storage, and transmission grid resiliency,” said Senator Cardin. “All of these steps taken together to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions are good for the environment, public health, and our economic and national security.” 

“To continue America’s energy revolution, we need to take an all-the-above approach,” said Senator Cramer. “Nuclear power must remain viable if we are going to reduce carbon emissions. This industry accounts for nearly half a million jobs, one fifth of the energy supply, and 60 percent of the emission-free power in this country. An expert nuclear workforce is also vital to our national security. The Nuclear Powers America Act recognizes nuclear power’s important role and prioritizes its existence.”

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